Author: Elizabeth Jenrola Oso

Saudi Arabia carried out airstrikes on Yemen’s port city of Mukalla on Tuesday, saying it was targeting a shipment of weapons destined for a separatist force and allegedly delivered from the United Arab Emirates. The UAE did not immediately acknowledge the strike. The attack marks a sharp escalation in tensions between Riyadh and the Southern Transitional Council (STC), a separatist group backed by Abu Dhabi. It also highlights growing strains between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, long-time allies who have supported rival factions in Yemen’s decade-long war. In a statement published by the state-run Saudi Press Agency, the Saudi military…

She is also reported to have earned about $50m for her 2024 “Beyoncé Bowl” half-time performance.

Pelosi announced in November that she would retire at the end of her current term in early 2027.

Benjamin Netanyahu is due to meet Donald Trump at the US president’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida on Monday evening, amid growing concern that Israel could launch new military offensives against regional adversaries, further destabilising the Middle East. The Israeli prime minister left Israel on Sunday for his fifth visit to see Trump in the United States this year. A central focus of the talks will be the Gaza ceasefire, which came into force in October and brought an end to a devastating two-year war. While the initial phase of the agreement has largely been implemented, serious obstacles remain to advancing…

China has launched large-scale live-fire military drills around Taiwan, simulating a blockade of key ports, strikes on maritime targets and the deterrence of international involvement, in what Beijing described as a warning to “separatist” forces on the island. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) said naval, air force and rocket units were deployed on Monday morning to surround Taiwan. Chinese coast guard vessels were also sent to conduct what Beijing called “law enforcement inspections” in waters around Taiwan’s outlying islands. The exercise, named Justice Mission 2025, was described by the PLA’s eastern theatre command as a “stern warning” to Taiwan independence…

Brigitte Bardot, the French actor and singer who became one of the most recognisable sex symbols of the 20th century before abandoning cinema for animal rights activism, has died aged 91. Her death was announced on Sunday by the Brigitte Bardot Foundation in a statement sent to Agence France-Presse. No details were given about when or where she died. Tributes poured in from across France’s political and cultural spectrum. President Emmanuel Macron said Bardot had “embodied a life of freedom” and described her as “a legend of the century”. Jordan Bardella, president of the far-right National Rally party, which Bardot…

Bulgaria is preparing to adopt the euro in January as political instability and concerns over Russia-linked disinformation fuel public distrust of the new currency.

A winter storm bringing a mix of snow and ice swept across the north-eastern United States early on Saturday, disrupting post-holiday travel and forcing emergency declarations in several states. Air travel was badly affected. By mid-morning, more than 14,400 domestic flights had been cancelled or delayed, according to the tracking service FlightAware. Most disruptions were centred on the New York area, including John F Kennedy, LaGuardia and Newark Liberty airports. A further 2,100 international flights scheduled to depart from or arrive in the US on Saturday were also cancelled. Road travel was equally hazardous. Residents across much of the north-east…

Italian authorities have arrested nine people linked to three charities on suspicion of raising millions of euros for the militant group Hamas. Anti-terrorism prosecutors said the suspects channelled about €7m (£6m) to organisations in Gaza, the Palestinian territories and Israel that were allegedly owned, controlled or linked to Hamas. The charities publicly claimed to be raising money for humanitarian aid for Palestinians. However, police said more than 71 per cent of the funds collected were diverted to directly finance Hamas or groups affiliated with it. Investigators also alleged that part of the money was sent to family members involved in…

The Central African Republic will go to the polls on Sunday, with President Faustin-Archange Touadéra seeking a third term in office. About 2.3 million registered voters are expected to take part in what observers describe as a quadruple election, covering the presidency, parliament, and local and municipal councils. Seven candidates are contesting the presidency. They include former prime ministers Anicet Georges Dologuélé and Henri-Marie Dondra, who were cleared to run by the constitutional court after initially being barred. Dologuélé finished second in the presidential races of 2015 and 2020, while Dondra previously served under Touadéra. Opposition figures are hoping to…